Christmas Bureau volunteers rarin’ to go
Organizers of the Christmas Bureau have just a handful of days to get all of the details in order before this ambitious charity opens next Wednesday morning. But the co-chairmen of the effort say they are ready and eager to open the doors at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center.
“At this point I just want to get going,” said Mike Reilly, the new co-chairman this year who is working with Bruce Butler. “We’ve spent months getting ready, and Monday we start moving things into the building. I am just looking forward to getting the process going.”
The bureau distributes the treats of Christmas – toys and books for the children, food vouchers and candy for adults – to the area’s needy families. The bureau will be open weekdays from Wednesday through Dec. 21.
It’s a big operation, and it’s funded by generous donations to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund.
The fund’s goal is $485,000 and donations of $2,605 bumped the fund total to $41,066.05. Donations of all amounts are welcome.
Reilly and Butler are among 250 volunteers who make the Christmas Bureau happen.
“We started thinking about this year when we closed last year before Christmas,” said Reilly.
Reilly was recruited by Donna Hanson, the longtime Catholic Charities director who died in the fall. “I had volunteered at Catholic Charities and she invited me to the bureau. It’s such a great bunch of people,” he said.
Butler, a semi-retired accountant, has streamlined systems at the bureau with extensive use of computers to minimize duplication of the food vouchers to families. Reilly, a semi-retired employee benefits consultant, sees his role as that of motivator. Some of the volunteers will work up to 10 or 12 shifts during the 11 days the bureau will be open. More than 9,000 families are served each year.
“I see my role as keeping people upbeat, appreciating volunteers for what they are doing,” Reilly said.
Reilly is a veteran volunteer in the community, ranging from time spent at St. Joseph Family Center to Holy Family Adult Day Centers. He said he’s a good coordinator, which is needed at the Christmas Bureau.
“There are a lot of pieces that have to come together,” he said. “If you want to help others, this is a good way to do it. We aren’t giving the people who come to the bureau much, but they don’t have much so what we give them is significant.”
Following are the donors and their donations:
JMA Commercial Real Estate, LLC, of Spokane gave $500. “We are pleased to be able to continue our tradition of giving to the Fund. In lieu of giving gifts to my customers, clients and tenants of the properties I manage this year, I am instead giving this donation on their behalf. I truly appreciate your efforts every year to provide as many local families as possible the means to have a happy holiday season,” wrote JMA owner Jamie Miller.
Helen Schaefer of Spokane donated $400.
Ralph and Peggy Rau, Ben and Nancy Echelbarger, Dawn and Kevin Smathers, Jason Echelbarger and Jodie and Damon Dewey donated $150 in memory of Milt and Fay Echelbarger.
Inland Empire Branch 38 of the Fleet Reserve Association sent $150 and a note: “The Christmas Fund drive has helped many of those who would not have had gifts if your company had not stepped up to the plate to organize this drive every year. The members of our branch would like to help out this year.”
Larene Haberman of Spokane sent $125 and sentiments: “Hope the contributions this year will surpass all others. Children are so special.”
An anonymous donor from Spokane gave $110.
Paul Cottrell of Spokane sent $100, as did Jennifer and Howie Stalwick of Post Falls; Kathy Mager of Deer Park; and Chris and Karen Tollackson of Spokane, and an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.
Geraldine Hickey of Spokane gave $100 in memory of Maurice B. Hickey and Timothy D. Hickey.
Claudine Luppi of Spokane donated $50, as did Mark Johnson of Nine Mile Falls; and Jay and Sheila Jordan, Marylou Downhour, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Czechowski, Preston and Carolyn Smith, and Cleo Fasules, all of Spokane. Tom and Sue Eastman of Spokane gave $50 in honor of their grandchildren.
Two anonymous donors, both of Spokane, each gave $40.
Granny and Linda Billings of Colbert, gave $25, as did U.S.A. Wrestling – Inland Northwest of Santa, Idaho.
Mildred Beaudreau of Spokane donated $20.
Roy Charlton of Spokane sent $10, as did an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.